Tourist arrivals from Italy have reached a record high of 35,000 and are expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year, the Philippine Embassy in Italy said in a news release.
At the launch of the Bisita, Be My Guest (BBMG) program of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Milan early October, Ambassador to Italy Neal Imperial said, “I am pleased to note that more and more Italians are traveling to the Philippines for beach, holiday, adventure and eco-tourism, diving, cultural immersion, and Filipino gastronomy.”
Noting that Italy is the fastest-recovering European tourism market for the Philippines since the pandemic, Ambassador Imperial said he expects the BBMG program to boost the number of Italians visiting the Philippines.
Ambassador Imperial told over 200 guests who attended the launching at the Palazzo Parigi that as of the third quarter of 2024, the Philippines said the over 35,000 tourist arrivals from Italy represents a 74% growth rate compared to the same period last year.
He assured the DOT, represented at the launching by Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderosa-Abubakar, of the full support of the Philippine country team in Italy in promoting Filipino tourism and fostering strong cultural ties between the two nations.
The BBMG program aims to encourage overseas Filipinos to promote the Philippines as a top travel destination. It taps into the Filipino diaspora’s global reach by incentivizing them to invite foreign guests to visit the country. Sponsors are eligible for rewards, including travel packages and raffle prizes.
In his remarks, Consul General Elmer Cato underscored the efforts of the Philippine Embassy in Rome and the Consulate General in Milan to promote the Philippines as a prime tourism destination in Italy.
He also highlighted the Amare Le Filippine (Love the Philippines) tourism campaign launched by the Consulate in June, as an important step in attracting Italian tourists to the archipelago.
Undersecretary Valderosa-Abubakar expressed optimism that the BBGM program would significantly boost the number of foreign visitors to the Philippines.
She conveyed her hope that the program would inspire the Filipino community in Italy to take part in showcasing the best of what the Philippines has to offer.
The event featured lively cultural performances, highlighting the Philippines’ rich heritage and traditions. Guests were also treated to a sumptuous buffet of traditional Filipino dishes.
